1.50ct vs. 2.00ct Square Shaped Radiant Diamond

Q:

Hi Liz,

I’m trying to find the largest, eye-clean, G/H, square proportioned excellent cut radiant diamond I can for less than $12k.

I still haven’t found anything I’m really happy with. So far I’ve looked mostly at James Allen because their website is the most user friendly, but I’m open to using other sites. This is the best I’ve done so far: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.75-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-525371

Can you help?

Thanks!

Jimmy

A:

Hello Jimmy,

I’m happy to help you find a diamond. There is no standard ‘cut’ grade for radiant cut diamonds. There will be no cut grade found on a lab report, so we are left to search through images to see how light is reflected from within the diamond.

The JA radiant that you found is acceptable, but does have a lot of concentrated contrast areas directly under the table facet. There is also large dark contrast areas near the corners of the diamond. These areas appear dark and will make the diamond look dark and small. Therefore, I do not recommend this diamond.

A much better alternative, would be to go for something like this:

1.53ct H VS2 for $8,193.00: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_radiant_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=6045004

This diamond was graded by GIA in May last year, and is eye-clean. You can immediately tell from the still image that the radiant is reflecting lots of white light back to the observer. There is just enough contrast areas to make it white/bright but not overly concentrated. This diamond meaures 6.37×6.33mm whereas the other 1.75ct measures 6.81×6.81mm. Thus, there is a difference of .5mm; which is nominal. Although the 1.53ct is smaller in dimensions, it will appear larger due to the optics of having a whiter and brighter diamond.

Best,

Liz

Q:

Hi Liz,

Thanks for your response. Do you have recommendations of a larger diamond? I don’t care about the weight, but rather the dimensions. Say, 7mm per side?

Once again, thanks for your help!

Jimmy

A:

Hi Jimmy,

If you want to go larger in face-up dimensions then inevitably you’ll increase carat weight as well as budget. If that is the direction that you want to go, then you are looking more in the ballpark of $15K. For example, here’s a 2.01ct H IF for $15,514.00: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_radiant_excellent_cut_h_if#p=4504085

From Left: 1.75ct G SI1, 1.53ct H VS2, and 2.01ct H IF Notice how the 1.75ct radiant appears overly dark in the center. This is due to light leakage through the pavilion. The diamond will appear small and dark visually. In contrast, the 1.53ct and the 2.01ct are cut well so that there is minimal light leakage and the result is a whiter, brighter, larger looking diamond.

The cut on this radiant is beautiful with lots of white light reflection and minimal light leakage. Dark contrast areas are uniform and symmetrical. The dimensions are 6.91×6.94mm. It has a thick even girdle and has super clean clarity.

If you can stretch your budget to $15K, then this diamond would work well for what you are looking for. Let me know if you have any questions.

Liz